Last Sunday, the forces of the now deposed Baroness Nosfentor ruthlessly laid siege to Kazola's Treetop Keg & Winery. After a pitched battle, the Shadowlord's superior warriors forced the Britannian Ministry of Armed Forces to endure a bitter defeat.
Minutes later, a deafening explosion rang out through the Deep Forest, signaling the act of arson perpetrated by the victorious forces of evil. The famous tavern was reduced to a smoking husk, most of the interior ruined, and the friendly barmaid, Bethany, slain. Their work done, the evil ones disappeared to crawl back under their rock.
Why would Nosfentor commit such a crime you ask? The answer stems from the event several weeks before, during the Drow Occupation, when M stole the Imperial Sword of Occupation from the Civic Center, and the Baroness vowed "to go burning till we find the sword."
Two weeks ago, during a tense confrontation between Kazola and the Baroness, Nosfentor accused Kazola of harboring M in the tavern, and then gave her a week to prepare for its destruction. The notion that M was being harbored in the tavern, an establishment she has stolen from twice, is of course ludicrous.
After the destruction, the surviving BAF forces, Kazola, and various patrons regrouped in front of the tavern to lament its loss. Entry into the tavern was barred by fallen debris and the pall of smoke. As the smoke cleared, and Kazola was consoled by the various onlookers, a shrouded figure appeared within the building and stood at the edge of the rubble.
According to witnesses, the unknown figure called the assembled crowd "Fools" and said "how easy they were to manipulate." Several people tried to reach the mysterious person, but had difficulty getting past the rubble and heat. It is curious how the individual, believed to be M, could have survived the blast and withstood the resulting inhospitable conditions. Those with keen vision could only describe M as an 'ebony skinned woman of average height.' Unfortunately, she wore a concealing shroud which obscured her face from view. Soon after she appeared, she disappeared and has not been seen since. Should anyone see her again, please contact myself or a representative of the Royal Britannian Kilted Police.
Hours later, once the crowd had dispersed and the fires snuffed out by chance rain, I joined Randal in sifting through the wreckage for anything salvageable. Nearly all the furniture in the building had been destroyed, and a large hole stretched from the ground floor clear up through the roof.
Sitting atop a small pile of debris, in front of where the fireplace used to stand, laid a slightly scorched book, yet another taunt from M.
A slightly charred book:
Nosfentor, Atalan, Blue Lotus:
You played out my plans well, I must congratulate you. Unwittingly, you helped me steal Kazola's Tavern from the citizens of Britannia. You truly are dumber then you look. You have helped me to steal hope, happiness, and history… Powerful relics in themselves.
I salute you, or I would, were you filth worthy of such an honor.
Kazola, High Council, Britannian Ministry of Armed Forces, Howling Voice:
You played your parts beautifully as well. You may rebuild, you may resume your weekly revels... But you will never be safe, never be secure.
Zeph Wightfyre:
You can only fantasize about one such as I. You wouldn't have the stamina...
Mage:
Your efforts are futile. I will consume her soul, and your power!
-M
The book is an interesting departure for M, although understandable, since the tavern’s bulletin board was obliterated in the blast.
The official response of Nosfentor’s evil alliance came to me via an ashen-faced courier, “Anyone can claim to have motivated the actions of another...M's words are no more valuable than a highlander breaking wind. If anything, M only gloated in the destruction of the one place she may have found allies against a failing government. Congratulations, M. Perhaps your words can blow over the city of Yew next?”
Kazola, strangely coiffed with bubble-gum pink hair, had this to say when I approached her: “The destruction of the tavern was simply a senseless act of cruelty. Her accusation that the tavern was hiding "M" was ludicrous, and simply an excuse to further antagonize me. Why she hates me so, I do not know. And now M wants to take credit for this. It just doesn't make any sense. But, I do plan to rebuild. M is mistaken if she thinks she's taken anything from me. The tavern is just a building - the community around it can never be stolen!”
Curious as to why Zeph Wightfyre was singled out from Howling Voice, I asked him to comment as well. “Well, M is a bit jealous of me... Y'know, my gorgeous locks and all. I s'pose that any sane person would be. Even still, She is scared that I'll find her out. I've got the Howling Voice boys out and about, stoppin' any people with the initial M. Pardoning you, o'course, Martyna. You're a woman of reputable intent and even finer writing! Ahhh... And M, love, I've got a surplus of stamina...”
Is M’s peculiar change in tactics and the simple fact of her first public appearance, a sign of something more sinister to come? Only time will tell. Keep your eyes and ears open, and your valuables well hidden!
Martyna Z'muir, BNN
Britain Post Office as Martyna Z'muir, BRT
Carrier Pigeon #484-154-744
Library of Sosaria: 72* 30'N 23* 18'W
You might notice the error for the FYI at UO.com section. That's because EA changed their website and the old code I used to get their headlines isn't working anymore.
from Trey Vardan:
Once again we've updated the Women of Roleplay Calendar project page!
Britannia's Armed Forces stood bravely at their posts protecting